A WILL DISPUTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 429, 21 November 1930, Page 8

A WILL DISPUTED

MENTALITY OF TESTATOR THE LATE SIR GEORGE HUNTER The case in which probate of the will of the late Sir George Hunter is being opposed is still proceeding. Y esterday considerable evidence was heard, which claimed that deceased was of normal mentality. . Friends who knew him well had never detected anything unusual in him. [Per Press Association.] WELIJNGTON, Nov. 20. His Honour asked the witness Dunn if, at the meeting of the three trustees held 'after Sir George Hunter’s death, Lady Hunter had ever protested at never having been consulted concerning the two of the codicils to the will.

Witness: She said that if I had sent the will up to Rotorua when 1 was asked to a number of defects she then professed to be finding would have been remedied. She did not contend Sir George was not in full possession of his faculties.

Mr Watson cross-examined the witness on a letter he had written Cyril Hunter, stating that he had found a suitable opportunity to mention to Sir George the matter of a legacy of £5OOO which, apparently, had been promised him as a wedding gift some .15 years earlier. Witness would not have mentioned the matter at all had Sir George not asked him if anything had been left out of the will.

Dr. S. H. Hay, of Rotorua, said he had seen Sir George Hunter at Rotorua in May last some time after Sir George had had a stroke. Witness had had no difficulty in understanding Sir George, who had answered questions clearly and readily. Later, witness had frequently conversed with Sir George who had always spoken intelligently. Witness never saw any signs of failing mentality. George Urquhart, solictor, Rotorua, said he had been called in on May 12 last to attest the signature of Sir George Hunter in connection with land transfer. He was sure he understood the dealing. Witness attested signatures on further documents and, on each occasion, Sir George was perfectly rational. Hugh McLean Campbell, sheepfarmer, Hawke’s Bay, said he had known Sir George intimately at least 30 years. Witness wen to see him soon after the stroke and formed the impression that, apart from some paleness, Sir George looked fairly well. Mentally, Sir George had appeared to be quite the same as usual. The main topics of discussion were politics and farming. Witness did not remember his attending any party conferenc *s during that period. James McNutt, sheepfarmer, of Hawke’s Bay, said he had known Sir George Hunter all his life. He visited him in February last with the idea of purchasing part of Porangahau Station. Sir George had discussed the proposed transaction quite clearly, and in witness’ opinion, his mental condition was as good as ever. lan Wallace Nicol Mackie, stfieitor, Waipukurau, detailed an in.l view he, in company with other people, had with Sir George in February concerning land transactions. Sir George was perfectly clear in conversation.

When the court resumed in the evening evidence was heard from Charles H. Patterson, sheepfarmer, Waipawa. He said that he had seen Sir George after the County Councils’ conference in July last, when he had discussed various questions. Sir George had spoken as intelligently as usual and witness had observed no change in him.

Similar evidence was given by Harry Parsons, farmer, Hawke’s Bay, concerning the transactions in connection with the purchase of land.

To Mr Watson, witness said that both the price and terms had been given to Mr Dunn before Sir George had been seen. All that Sir George had had to do was to say “Yes” or “No” to the proposal. William George Nightingale, journalist, and secretary of the Waipukurau Jockey Club, said he had known Sir George for 30 years. Witness had seen Sir George in January and had discussed various topics, principally racing at Waipukurau. He had appeared quite rational. Witness had also seen Sir George in March and July, when racing matters had again been discussed.

“Who did most of the talking?” “I did. When I took a rest he asked me questions.”

William Duncan Fleming, sheepfarmer, of Waipukurau, and Frederick Lee Selby, stockbuyer, Dannevirke, also gave similar evidence. Answering Mr Gary the latter said Sir George had told him he intended to give substantia] wedding gifts to “the boys,” who witness said, were Cyril and Paul Hunter. This conversation took place about 17 years ago. feeorge McKenzie, woolclasser, Wellington, detaile’d three interviews he had had with Sir George, stating that he had formed the impression that Sir George was in no way failing. The court adjourned until to-mor-